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Reggie Happy For Clean Slate |
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Sekera and Nathan Gerbe are settling in to their new home in the Research Triangle.
Sekera was traded for Jamie McBain on June 30th. Gerbe was signed a free-agent contract with the Canes last mont after he was unceremoniously bought out by Buffalo.
Reggie spoke with the Raleigh News Observer about the shock of being traded for the first time in his NHL career.
“The way the business is, it’s always in your head that it could happen,” Sekera said Thursday after skating at Raleigh Center Ice. “I got traded. No big deal. Life goes on. I’m happy to start with a clean slate here and try to prove something to myself and to the team."
The Canes were abysmal on defense last season. They ranked 26th in the NHL in shots against (32.2 per game) and 29th in goals against (3.31) last season. Sekera was acquired for to be a depth D.
He's going to play top 4 D minutes. Sekera loves to play 20+ minutes per game. He wouldn't have gotten to play that role in Buffalo this season with Myers, Tallinder, Ehrhoff, and Weber slotted to play top 4 assignments. The Sabres have 10 NHL D without Sekera. Ron Rolston and Teppo Numinen will get a good look at Pysyk, Ruhwedel, McNabb, and Ristolainen in the exhibition games. McBain isn't guaranteed a roster spot in Buffalo and neither is Sulzer. The Canes have loaded up on forwards in recent years which left their blue lune very vulnerable to attack.
The Canes identified Sekera as a difference maker and traded for him.
Look for him in the exhibition season when the Sabres and Canes get it on.
“You never know,” Sekera said.
“Changes can come at any time for anybody, and especially when they’re rebuilding. Maybe they didn’t get from me something they wanted. Who ever you are, you want to start strong. You don’t want to let the people down that wanted you. All I can do is just work hard, play my game, and I hope I can help Carolina.”
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